Stay Legal

Have you ever done an internet search on church liability, federal reporting requirements, incorporation, employment laws, negligence, counseling, the legal authority of pastors, or any other legal concern your church is facing only to come up with too...

   Let's be honest: Things like board structure, bylaws, elections, membership requirements, minutes, and business meetings will likely never land on your list of “most exciting topics.” Yet as a church leader it’s critical...

What Churches Need to Understand about the Legal Limitations of Waivers and Release Forms Introducing Church Issues—an in-depth resource created to help church leaders gain clarity and direction on a specific topic that challenges religious...

Today more and more church board members are being sued. As a church board member it is crucial for you to be aware of the ways you can expose yourself to personal legal liability. In this resource by Richard Hammar, you'll discover steps you can take to...

Find answers to your virtual business meeting questions in Your Complete Guide to Virtual Church Meetings: A toolkit for legal and compliant business meetings by Sarah E. Merkle, JD, CPP-T, PRP. This downloadable resource is a...

An easy-to-use reference for all the copyright issues churches encounter in the course of their weekly activities. From photocopying sheet music to posting Internet content, noted church attorney, Richard Hammar, explains how to avoid copyright...

What Churches Need to Understand about Public Accommodations Laws Introducing Church Issues—an in-depth resource created to help church leaders gain clarity and direction on a specific topic that challenges religious freedoms or exposes a...

Learn why it is essential your church develop a risk management strategy and how to implement the strategy in your church. CONTENTS Part 1: Developing a Risk Management Strategy Part 2: Implementing the Risk Management Strategy

Church leaders and boards can take relatively simple, yet effective steps to reduce the likelihood of child sexual abuse. Implementing a preventive program can provide a safe and secure environment for the children to whom your church has been entrusted,...

This download corresponds with the Church Law & Tax recording: 10 Key Developments for Churches and Church Staff. Download this handout to follow along and take notes while you watch. Webinar Description: Each year, attorney and CPA Richard R...

This download corresponds with the Church Law & Tax webinar: Church Formation Basics. Download this handout to follow along and take notes while you watch. Webinar Description: How a church is legally formed directly affects how it operates. From...

This download corresponds with the “Fraud in the Church: What We Learned from 700 Church Leaders” webinar. Download this handout to follow along and take notes while you watch. Webinar Description:A new nationwide survey of more than 700...

Many congregations received the PPP loan. What they do next is critical.In this free, one-hour webinar with CPA and tax attorney Ted Batson, a Church Law & Tax advisor at large, church leaders will receive guidance on the types of expenses they can...

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, and the corresponding “stay-at-home” directives issued by most states, has put churches of all sizes and settings in a difficult position when it comes to worship services—as well as the convening of...

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak continues to take major physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial tolls on millions of people worldwide. In the US, efforts to slow the disease’s continued spread has led to bans on public gatherings in many...

Did you know pastors and other church staff may be required by law to report child abuse and that laws on this vary state by state? This resource will guide you through finding how each state defines child abuse, who is required to report abuse,...